Tag: kansas city

Larry Livingston (right) introduces Father Mike Rieder to members of the Unbound staff in Kansas City, KS.

Father Mike Rieder makes good on his bet over the results of the 2015 World Series.

By Larry Livingston, senior writer

Father Mike Rieder is a modern Renaissance man. He’s a pastor, a seasoned international traveler and a diehard New York Mets fan (more about that to come). He’s also a treasured member of the Unbound community.

“I’ve been a sponsor a little over 20 years,” Father Mike said. “A friend of mine who I love and trust invited me to join. It has changed my life, the whole experience of being connected with Unbound. Then, becoming a [Unbound] preacher, I felt like, ‘Wow I made the team!’ But, honestly, I was then told I’d been part of the team the whole time.”

Laura, one of the Cristo Rey interns working at CFCA this year. Laura helped prepare photos and family profiles of children and elderly awaiting sponsorship. These profiles are shown at weekly church presentations around the country.

Every day we see how education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty worldwide.

We also see the importance of education much closer to home ó that is, right here in our Kansas City headquarters.

For six years since the inception of Cristo Rey, our CFCA office has had a local partnership with Cristo Rey Kansas City High School, one of 25 innovative high schools in the Cristo Rey Network. These schools serve culturally diverse students with economic need.

A Jesuit priest, the Rev. John P. Foley, began the first Cristo Rey high school in 1996. He had just returned to Chicago after working in missions in Peru for 34 years.

Our mission of solidarity with those living in poverty complements the Catholic high school’s mission, detailed on its website: “Cristo Rey Kansas City is shaped and energized by the educational vision of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in the Vincentian spirit of service to the poor and partnership with those of means.” Read more

Although the premiere is free, we ask that you reserve tickets as soon as possible so we know how many people will be attending.

As just a taste of the great things to come, we’d like to share this Q-and-A with Paul Pearce, the film’s executive producer and CFCA’s director of global strategy.

What was the inspiration behind making “Rise and Dream?”

The idea was to capture how people living in poverty can be an inspiration for the rest of the world, through their perseverance and hope despite their daily survival struggles.

Many times people living in poverty are treated as if they are in a great abyss, with nothing but their need to offer the rest of the world.

We wanted to make a film that dispelled this myth. We wanted to challenge ourselves and others to truly give the poor a voice ó to give them the microphone for once and let them share what they think and feel. Read more

The following is a final letter from Aileen, 20, of CFCA’s Legazpi. Philippines, project. She was sponsored through Walk with the Poor by the Justice League at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo. Aileen graduated in March 2009 with a bachelor’s in office administration.

Warm greetings to all of you! I hope that you are happy upon handling this letter of mine.

CFCA is such a big help to me and to my family. Iíve been in this foundation for 12 years. Being one of the CFCA beneficiaries is a very big blessing to us. Everything that I need is supported and assisted by CFCA, from the food assistance, medical and dental check-up, educational supplies, clothing, recreational activities, spiritual support and tuition fees. All of these benefits greatly helped us in coping with our needs in life.

I’m very thankful to God because I belong to this foundation, and I have sponsors like you who are willing to help us without expecting in return. I can say that I’m blessed to be sponsored by you. Thank you so much. You know, I’m sad to say that I have to waive your sponsorship for me. I graduated from college through the help of CFCA, last March 26, 2009, with the degree of bachelor of science in office administration. Because of CFCA, I was given an opportunity to finish my studies. My father is a single parent and he cannot afford to send me to college. Thatís why Iím so grateful and thankful to you and to CFCA. I think I won’t able to reach this far without your generous support. Thank you very much!!

Right now, I am clearing all the requirements for me to have the transcript of records. I always pray to God that I could find a good job because I really want to help my family to uplift from poverty. CFCA and you, dearest sponsors, are part of my life. You played a very big role in achieving my dreams. You will be forever in my thoughts and prayers.

My whole family wants to express our regards and sincerest gratitude and thanks to all of you there. You changed and touched our lives. We pray that God will shower you more blessings, and we also wish the success of CFCA.

Thank you, CFCA sponsors and donors, for all of the support youíve provided this year to our friends and families around the world. The gifts youíve given and love youíve shown to the children, youth and elderly living in poverty have made an enormous difference in their lives, the lives of their families and in our own lives. Itís a success that the whole CFCA community can share

What weíve done together
Even in the face of the economic downturn, we have achieved so much. With your support, weíve helped children go to school for the first time, and weíve helped older youth finish school. Weíve helped mothers give their families nutritious food to eat. Weíve provided roofs for houses, and materials for home repairs. Grandparents receive vital health care, children get to visit the dentist, and communities of CFCA parents are strengthened by the opportunity to learn income-generating skills or start small businesses.

We have partnered with our friends through sponsorship. Weíve also helped through donations to special funds. And through the Sponsorship Assistance Fund, weíve helped fellow sponsors continue their sponsorships during rough times like job loss and health issues.

Good news from 2008
We began 2008 with good news. Together, we reached the $100 million revenue milestone — a testament to the trust sponsors place in CFCA as good stewards. Itís really remarkable that each of us giving about $30 a month can make such a huge impact.

And another achievement we can all feel especially good about: We will begin 2009 with more sponsors and more sponsored friends being helped than we had a year ago.

Year-end contribution deadlines As much as we have done, there is more that we can and will do together. To celebrate the end of the year with a contribution and qualify for a 2008 tax deduction, here are the deadlines:

A blessed new year ahead We are grateful for your compassion and partnership with CFCA. Together, we are making a difference in each life we touch. Together, we make the world a better place for everyone.

CFCA†received the Best of Show honor at the sixth annual Philly Awards for our Walk with the Poor brochure.

The awards are presented by Nonprofit Connect, recognizing excellence in Kansas City nonprofit communications. CFCA also won first place for the Walk with the Poor brochure in the informational brochure category and second-place honors for the CFCA sponsorship brochure in the membership appeal category.

The Walk with the Poor brochure was created to encourage young people to go to the Walk with the Poor section on our website and learn how they can impact global poverty by helping a student finish school.

The Best of Show Award is selected from the first-place winners in 11 categories.

We created a video of the multi-fold Walk with the Poor brochure. Watch it unfold as it connects the dots…

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/4593301 w=500&h=350]

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